3 Arrested In Drug Raid

NEWPORT NEWS — City police said the arrests of three New Yorkers Monday night stopped a major source of heroin in the city.

A detective who has worked on the vice and narcotics squad for nine years said that at 38 grams, it was the largest bust he'd seen.

Moleek Brown, 30; Inez Magwood, alias Teresa McCay, age unavailable; and Russell Houston, 27, were each charged with possession of heroin with the intent to distribute it. Brown also was charged with violating parole from an earlier charge.

Vice and narcotics officers raided rooms the three suspects had rented at a city motel about 11:30 p.m. Police had watched the room and activities there for the past week, said police Sgt. Art Nolan.

The officers seized the substance believed to be heroin, with a street value of $11,030, and $9,233 in cash, Nolan said.

Sgt. J.E. Quail of the vice squad said this estimate was based on the fact that one gram is sold for about $300 on the street.

Most of the suspected heroin was found in two plastic bags, but the officers found another 13 smaller glassine bags that allegedly are used for packaging for street sales.

Police found the words "Jason" and "No Way Out" stamped on some of the bags, an apparent trademark used by the alleged dealers, Nolan said. He said the code or trademark was noted also on earlier street sales of heroin in the city's East End.

"Runs were made back and forth to New York City to pick up the heroin," Nolan said.

Brown was on probation for a previous drug conviction in Newport News.